Summer Vacation Planning
With the long summer break—essentially, summer vacation—just two days away, we obtained permission to go out and made our way to the trade city of Ganos for the first time in a while.
Perhaps because Zarfin was no longer around, the atmosphere in Ganos felt somewhat calmer than before.
The reason we came here today was simple—swimsuit shopping.
However, Connie and Claire had already delivered some disappointing news to me in advance.
"The swimsuits we picked out will be a secret from you until the day of."
"It's a secret!"
With their perfectly synchronized declaration, I couldn’t press any further.
So, Connie and Claire were now at a store in the Ganos branch of the Gallard Company, carefully selecting their swimsuits.
Meanwhile, I had no particular preferences, so I just checked my size and left the store.
After all, they planned to unveil their chosen swimsuits at the Heartland family's private beach, so having me around would probably make things awkward for them.
At the moment, I was relaxing at a café near the company.
—For some reason, I was accompanied by President Tricia.
"Oh my, the tea here is quite delightful. I wonder what kind of leaves they use. I'll have someone check later."
It was President Tricia’s first time visiting Ganos, and she was in an unusually high-spirited mood.
I had Lucina by my side as an attendant, but in President Tricia’s case, she had ten people fulfilling the same role.
At the academy, she had fewer attendants, but given that this was an outing, security had been increased.
That was to be expected from one of the Three Great Houses.
Still, why did she decide to come all the way to Ganos with such a large entourage?
She was drawing so much attention that it felt like she might attract the wrong kind of people.
However, judging by the ten maids guarding her, it seemed like there was no real danger—they all exuded the presence of seasoned warriors in their respective fields.
In fact, their aura was identical to Lucina’s.
I couldn’t determine their exact combat prowess, but they would likely be an even match.
She really had gathered some incredible talent.
"By the way, President Tricia, aren't you going to do it?"
"Do what?"
"Prepare a swimsuit."
"… Are you interested?"
She gave me a provocative look as she asked.
… Huh?
What’s with that tone?
She seems different from usual.
"What's wrong? You seem troubled."
"N-No, that's not it."
I was completely caught up in her pace.
… Come to think of it, since she’s part of the Three Great Houses, that means there are two more people at the academy at her level.
When I checked the academy coliseum rankings to assess Walton’s strength, I saw that President Tricia was ranked second.
If someone who could nullify magic with sheer grip strength was only second, then that meant there was someone even stronger lurking in the academy.
One of the remaining two from the Three Great Houses was likely the number one.
Some of the top-ranked names were hidden, so I couldn’t tell who held the first place.
If I asked President Tricia directly, she’d probably know immediately, but whether she’d answer honestly was another matter.
As I continued to feel overwhelmed, a familiar voice called out to me.
"Young master Lake!"
"Oh? Arze?"
It was Arze, an informant in this town.
Her intel had been incredibly useful during the whole Walton incident.
"I wasn’t expecting you to drop by so suddenly. Did something happen?"
"Well, a few things."
"And who is this?"
"I am his friend."
Before I could answer, President Tricia introduced herself.
It seemed she chose not to reveal her status as the daughter of one of the Three Great Houses in front of someone she had just met.
"Arze, was it? Do you like this town?"
"Yes! There was a time I thought it was beyond saving… but Young master Lake revived it!"
"It certainly seems that way."
Hearing Arze's words, President Tricia murmured with a hint of satisfaction.
"As I thought, you are quite different from the others."
"Of course! Young master is the best!"
Arze was bursting with excitement… but she sure had changed.
She used to be all about squeezing information fees out of me.
Well, if she was able to return to an environment where she could work comfortably, then all the effort back then was worth it.
All for the bright future of our company!
And it seemed I had successfully impressed President Tricia with that as well.
What do you think about this chapter?
